Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart

This is easily one of the most beautiful churches in the country. Rising high above the buildings around and featuring a stained glass window of Jesus Christ pointed at the highway, you know you’re walking into a different type of place than the usual.
The cathedral is spacious, with seating for over 2000 people. I’ve been told it is an Italian design, but I’m not even sure how to verify that. As you make your way through massive doors and across the marble floor, you are flanked by rows of saints with votive candles lit all the way down. A large baptismal font is in the center of the main transept, leading to a massive sanctuary space.
Cardinal DiNardo celebrates all of the major masses here, including ordinations, the Chrism Mass, Christmas and Easter Vigils, etc. On an average week, the parish is full of life, operating CCE and a variety of ministries.

I love the cathedral and the such a beautiful sight. The mass, however, lead by The Most Reverend Sheltz, and my interaction with the Most Reverend, quite the opposite of my expectations; dry and unfriendly/​unwise perception. The other clergy and parish was very friendly, giving, so I would come back. Perhaps a different service/​time

This new cathedral was only built a few years ago to replace the old cathedral located one block away. It is very pretty on the inside with the use of a lot of stone in its construction and beautiful stained glass windows. Since it is new it doesn’t have all of the beautiful artwork of the old cathedrals here and in Europe including paintings on the ceilings, statues and columns. It was built along the patterns of the old style cathedrals but modernized including sight lines inside that are better due to the lack of many columns inside. This cathedral reflects what a beautiful 21^st century cathedral should look like.
Parking is ample with lots in front and back along with the use of a nearby parking garage.

This is a breathtaking cathedral! The architecture is reminiscent of the type of church that you imagine from reading books. I really appreciate that they hold several masses during the week to accommodate many work schedules. I especially appreciate how dedicated they are to helping the community. Every month they send an email looking for volunteers to help with the many charitable projects that they host.

This church is just breath taking when you walk in. I love how the ushers will ask you how many people you are with and will find a seat for you. During my visit my brother in law and sister both had new cars and needed to get them blessed. The priest and deacons here are very helpful and blessed the cars. I really like the children’s books they give the kids when you walk in. It makes it very easy for children to follow the mass. I wish my home parish did that.

There is no such thing as a «half Mass» or a «full Mass». Weddings take place during Mass or outside of Mass.

Amazing church and friendly staff and crew. Always feel comfortable and welcomed!

It’s really surprising to stumble upon this beautiful cathedral in downtown Houston. The older/​original cathedral is no longer accessible to the public because it was deemed structurally unsound, but the newer building is right across the street.
Its well-​lit and spacious interior makes it a wonderful refuge to escape the bustling city for a while. Even though the cathedral’s smooth, white walls gives it a more modern appearance, it still has the tranquility of a place of worship. If you want to learn more about the cathedral, there are a number of pamphlets in the lobby as well as well-​dressed staff members to assist you.

Ein prächtiges Symbol der Macht der Katholischen Kirche in Houston. Diese heiliges Ort ist beruhigend riesig. (Leider haben sie (bis jetzt) kein Gottesdienst auf Deutsch, obwohl Spanisch & Vietnamesisch angeboten werden).
Selbstverständlich gibt’s viele Parkplätze.
Als Sehenswürdigkeit sehr empfehlenswert!
Während der Woche gibt’s Gottesdienst morgens um 7:00 und mittags um 12:10.

Experience the cathedral’s sacred majesty from a modern prospective!
After going to some churches throughout the states, I convinced my friend to take me to a Catholic mass in the cathedral of my home city: Co-​Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. My goal is to experience both the mass for the first time and the cathedral itself and I was glad to witness the beauty of the majestic building and the intrigue of the mass.
The historic Co-​Cathedral is unfortunately inaccessible because it was condemned as unsafe, so the new building across the street was constructed within the recent decade. As a modern cathedral, the tall majestic Co-​Cathedral takes a clean, modern approach that takes a minimalist focus on the building’s grandeur instead of the details. You will see the impressive marble slabs instead of the stained glass windows that are often associated with churches.
The Co-​Cathedral vaguely adopted the cross-​shaped basilica floor plan with the preparation room at its apse (the main tip of the cross) and the altar at the center of the cross. The side altars are occupied by Latin American saints including St. Juan Diego as the majority, and at the transepts (side tips of the cross) are the Blessed Virgin and the Sacred Heart on each side. Behind the center of the altar is the Passion.
Whether you are here for a mass or not, the Co-​Cathedral is definitely worth a visit to witness its grandeur. Even as a Houston resident, I was surprised that such awesome building exist in the city that seems to focus less than structural beauty.

This church is incredibly beautiful beyond words. My cousin and her fiancé’ were married here two weeks ago, and when you walk inside, you can’t help but be filled with a reverence for God. The stained glass windows are breathtaking, and you could get lost staring up at the ceilings.
The church wedding coordinator was very strict, but she did everything she could to make sure the bride and groom had everything they needed for the big day. Father Jude officiated the ceremony, and he’s great! The mass went smoothly, and although my cousin opted for the full mass, it was over in an hour, which was a pleasant surprise. (The last wedding I was in was also a Catholic mass, but the bride opted for the half mass, and it still took about 45 minutes!)
Because this is a cathedral, the rules regarding weddings (well, any events here) are more strict than they are at other Catholic churches, but if you read the rules, you’ll be fine.

Whoa! What a stunning piece of architecture! I went here for a performance of the Houston Chamber Choir and enjoyed every minute of it. Parking is easy — and free. It is truly an enormous structure and if for any reason you find yourself in the area, you should definitely check out this beautiful church.

The architecture and beauty of the cathedral is awesome and it really does help elevate the mass to the sense of celebrating with the heavenly hosts! Even if you’re not Catholic, you must visit for the beautiful stained glass and the lightness of the space despite the apparent fortress-​ness of the outside.
As for the masses… I absolutely love Father Jude! He is a wonderful new (1+ year ordained priest) from Nigeria, and just gives the best homilies. He is young and dynamic and does a great job relating the readings to our lives.
Of course, all the priest are wonderful, and it’s especially great to get to attend a mass celebrated by the Cardinal. One of the most awesome masses was the Holy Thursday mass, where though I’d seen it done dozens of times before, this was the first experience where I saw a Cardinal (as opposed to the parish priest) wash the feet of twelve parishioners. It was so awesome and such a great demonstration of the value of life and of service to others.
The only reason the cathedral dosen’t get that 5^th star is only because I really wish they had a choir that fit the character of the church. It seems sparse at times and can be overwhelemed by the organ. I believe it’s a funtion of the Catherdral being downtown so it’s understandable, but regretable.
I do like that they do confessions 20 minutes before all the masses. Get there early, there can be a line!

Went here for a funeral mass and it was beautiful. It was really nice and modern, but still had the traditional feel. The staff was really friendly and welcoming. I’d like to come to Sunday mass when I have a chance.

Beautiful structure and very modern. It is unlike any cathedral in that the lines are bare and clean and it has somewhat of a minimalist feel. If you’ve been to other cathedrals in the US or abroad, you know what I mean. Sometimes you feel like they are a bit gaudy. Not this one.
Figures of saints and stained glass windows are still prevalent but you won’t see gold filigree or jewels adorning every crevice.
I’m pretty traditional, but this is something else.
The choir, I actually like, which is rare because I feel like most are made up of people who can’t sing, but they have pipes here. The kind you WANT to hear.
I see they occasionally host organists and have concerts open to the public. I have yet to go to one, but considering I know what those things sound like during a mass, I would love to hear one soon.

This place is gigantic! It’s also beautiful. I review it purely for it’s architecture, for I have yet to visit any of the masses.

One of the best cathedrals I have ever been to mass in. Lovely community and atmosphere. It’s a lot more modern than other Texas cathedrals (San Antonio/Dallas/Ft.Worth being my frames of reference), but this Cathedral did not lose the soaring loveliness and reverence that it had before. Your eye is drawn upward to a stained glass representation of the Holy spirit and numerous depictions of the saints and members of the church.
Confession is the most convenient in Houston, and I see people walking in around the clock. Parking is also great because of a nearby parking garage and parking lot across the street.
Downside is that there are a couple of homeless guys that know the mass times and wait outside the doors to hit up leaving parishioners. They are nice bums, and I give when I am feeling particularly almsy, but just heads up for some others who are new to Houston.
Organ and choir loft are amazing. They also have a partnership with the UH music program that lets undergrads play free concerts in the cathedral. Visiting choirs are common; when the childrens’ choir is there, you feel like angels are singing. It’s amazing!
Also, there is a stained glass window that some call «Freeway Jesus» that is pretty darn cool. :) You should check it out!

Bless me Father for I (am about to) sin.
I need to speak critically of a few aspects of this Cathedral.
First, however, I would like to point out its positives. It is stunning architecture. It is beautiful, marble wonderfulness. It also has lots of services in a variety of languages which speaks to the diversity of the Catholic community in Houston.
Here are the issues I have. While the marble and glossy, modern-​minimalist nature of the sanctuary is beautiful to look at, it is echoey as all get out. And with tons of small children and babies (and no «cry baby» room) the echos I often heard were cries and coos, some coming from my own child, instead of a resounding sermon from a priest. Another issue I have, the biggest issue I have, is the large stain glass Jesus that rises 20 feet and can be seen from the Pierce Elevated. I have heard him called «Super Model Jesus» or «Stud Muffin Jesus». He reigns over Houston traffic with flowing locks and rock hard 6 (possibly 8) pack abs. As someone who loves both stain glass and religious iconography, I find the piece at best laughable and at worst sacrilegious.
I am, however, extremely pleased that they got an organ, because the computerized organ was not doing the building justice.
I could only muster giving the CoCathedral 4 stars instead of 3 lest I be smote on the spot.

Religion elevated to an art form. The sheer beauty of this Cathedral is found internally, externally, and with its parishioner base. The physical beauty thus elevates the function, form, and reverence of the Catholic proceedings.
I was once asked by a Baptist whose church looked more like a sort of colosseum or concert hall as opposed to a church, «Why do you Catholics always build such lavish structures?» I simply responded with a St. Augustine answer: that the true nature of heaven and God can never be ascertained in all its beauty by man, as such, we should feel compelled to build beautiful and richly gorgeous structures to honor Him and to pay Him homage because no matter how pretty we make them, they will never match the beauty of heaven. But we should try.
Keep your mega church. Keep your modern looking oddball «community» churches. Keep your lack of structure, reverence, and tradition. Give me the beauty of reverence, tradition, and structure all wrapped in a beautiful and symbolic structure like this one. From the minute you enter, with a narthex that teases your architectural sense and when you open the door, you find a Cathedral that resonates with a sense of holiness that mixes traditional motif with elegant modern architecture — indeed, a Cathedral at once a throwback to the Middle Ages as its clean lines pay tribute to modern styles. Each statue of saints was hand made by artisans taking hundreds upon hundreds of man hours. Stained glass artwork that is both breathtaking and colorful juxtaposed against simple columns and internal structure.
Mass in here makes any person of any faith understand the beauty of the Eucharist — and a Mass at Co-​Cathedral of the Sacred Heart makes individuals of all faiths understand the nature of tradition and appreciate the reverence Catholics have to the Father, Son, and the Hoy Spirit. If you can’t be moved by attending a service here, then I am not sure what can move you.
The newest piece to arrive won’t be finished until October 15^th, which is the Pasi Opus XIX Pipe Organ whose 5,499 pipes will range in size form ½ inch to 32 feet and with four keyboards, one footpedal and 75 stop knobs — and this will only enhance the beauty of the church through the sense of sound. This marks the first pipe organ in over 25 years in the Archdiocese.
This Cathedral serves as the home Cathedral of the Chancery of the Archdiocese here in Houston. Parking is also quite convenient, unlike what many would find downtown, though this may be more a factor of the location. Had this Cathedral been in Midtown, methinks Holy Mother Church would have to offer valet service.
Muslim, Baptist, Jew, and all should at least experience the glory of the architecture and the beauty of one Mass. Moreso if an Archbishop presides — it makes for a feast for the senses. Take a moment and stop on in!
NOTE: Pardon the dust, some internal scaffolding and construction is ongoing from January 18^th — October 15^th 2010 while they install their custom, hand-​made pipe organ.

AWESOME cathedral, My cousin got married here and it was a beautiful ceremony. The father that handled the ceremony was great and interacted with the guests after. Having been to many many catholic churches throughout the world, this was not the most impressive, but very nice for being in Houston (as opposed to S. America or Europe, not hating on TX). At nearly 4 stories tall with a huge white arched dome its an impressive site to see.

What a fantastic addition to the Houston city!
I can’t believe I’m the first to review this magnificent piece of architecture.
Church parking is not as tricky as I thought. There is a gated lot in front of the church and also parking along side the building. The grand entrance is a welcome site. The church is so massive and over the top beautiful, from the grand cross of Jesus Christ (which is at least 4 stories high!), to the religious saints scattered through out. There is an infinity fountain in the middle of the cathedral and the levitating Virgin Mary was so amazing and left my face awestruck.
I have passed this architectural marvel many times. It is especially magnificent at night, when the huge stain glass is illuminated against the Houston backdrop. Stop by and I guarantee you will think this cathedral is «jaw-​dropping» beautiful